"This convention needs to be about Barack Obama, period," says one Democrat worried about the Clintons grabbing attention. "Anything that detracts from that message is a problem for us in the fall." (AP Photo)

(Newser)
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Heading into their convention, Democrats are increasingly worried about what should be a gimme election. With his poll lead slipping or even disappearing, Barack Obama needs a strong convention showing, like Bill Clinton’s in 1992, Scot Lehigh writes in the Boston Globe. To do it, he’ll need to articulate his vision and message—and navigate the Clinton minefield.

Both Hillary and Bill will speak, and could easily refocus the spotlight on themselves. “This convention needs to be about Barack Obama,” said one supporter. “Anything that detracts from that message is a problem.” Obama himself will have to make that message clear, Lehigh notes, outlining his story and his positions to draw connections with working-class voters, and close the commander-in-chief gap.